Dominique Monaghan wanted to get even with her married boyfriend who was cheating on her! But when things can go wrong, they usually do. Dominique intended to kidnap her washed-up, ex-boxer lover, in order to extract a confession from him about his affairs that she could send to his wife. She wanted out of the relationship and he wouldn't let go. She had the whole thing planned to the last letter.

However, the plan goes awry and poor Dominique is the one kidnapped. Taken to a remote, derelict house in the Pocono Mountains, she manages to call her brother Desmond to come and save her. He finally arrives to find a sad scene. Something that I sure didn't see coming happens. The shock value is high.

Desmond has a secret from his past that he lives with, not happily. He decides to find the kidnappers and set the law on them. His life is threatened, but he is determined that this is the last thing he can do for his baby sister, and he is going to see it through to the end – whatever that end might be.

Blood Always Tells presents a sympathetic character in Dominique, although her life is far from pure. Her boyfriend is someone who looks out for number 1, no matter what he must do to accomplish his goals. In some ways the two are not that strange a couple. They each need someone to avoid being alone. Dominique is more susceptible to others' entreaties, which makes her a patsy most of the time. He always has a scheme going that is going to make his fortune. And, of course, he is broke and in debt.

The book abounds with iffy characters – each one in desperate need of a psychiatrist's help. In it, Hilary Davidson delivers a fascinating plot that will run away with your emotions.

Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons.